My computer is rebelling! When I got up this morning and turned it on, the screen was black and a message read that there was an error: the hard drive has failed. It had me click F1--I think--and this and that, but no luck. I turned it off and left for the flea market at 6:15, without even making the bed; in fact, the house was in some disarray. Drove to the community center. I'm now typing this deathless prose at the library, damn it.
Friday evening, I drove to the center to see if I could unload some of my stuff, so I could possibly put more in. Well, it was a madhouse. Poor Fran Z., the coordinator, was trying to direct volunteers to set up tables, while a bunch of kids--some kind of program, I guess--were racing around inside and biking around outside.
I did get some stuff in and put in a corner, but didn't feel like adding more.
Back to yesterday: Hauled the stuff in, including my own two tables, which I then realized were a mistake; the rental ones were bigger and sturdier. Told Fran I'd like to switch and did, finally setting out my enormous number of items, including a small chest, a number of very large baskets, a blanket rack, a beautiful set of wine glasses, and so. A guy came up before it even opened at 8 am and bought several records. As I was putting them in a bag, I knocked over my coffee and got a clock I was selling wet, along with some other things. Luckily, I was able to sop it all up, and just rearranged, as needed.
That wasn't the only snafu. I got a voice message from an agent to the effect somebody wanted to see the house between 12 and 1:00--oh, no I had rushed out so fast I hadn't made the bed or put my cup in the dishwasher, etc. THEN, I accidentally deleted the message! Frantically called Walter, who called his office, and upshot was, they want to see the house on Monday--happy day!
Anyhow, I made a nice big pile of money and, even better, got rid of a load of stuff I ne longer have to deal with.
Well, I hate this computer, ungrateful wretch that I am, so will sign off. I hope one of my children can tell me what to do with my own pretty soon.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
Thisa and Thata
I fixed my little clock! Yes, my mechanical engineering deduction skills being so impressive, it occurred to me it might need a new battery. It did (AA), I changed it, and now it's ticking along (actually, it doesn't tick or make any sound except the alarm's "ting-ting-ting").
Went to Santori's in Galloway for feta and veggies, and to Shop-Rite for other stuff.
I was happy to get a call from the doctor's office to the effect that my mammogram showed no abnormalities.
Although I'll do most of it tomorrow, I packed some of my flea market stuff in the car--boy, there's a lot of stuff. I may have to take two trips.
The A.C. Press had a momentously stupid editorial, arguing that Jerseyites should be "permitted" to pump their own gas. That annoyed me so much, I sat down and wrote this:
Went to Santori's in Galloway for feta and veggies, and to Shop-Rite for other stuff.
I was happy to get a call from the doctor's office to the effect that my mammogram showed no abnormalities.
Although I'll do most of it tomorrow, I packed some of my flea market stuff in the car--boy, there's a lot of stuff. I may have to take two trips.
The A.C. Press had a momentously stupid editorial, arguing that Jerseyites should be "permitted" to pump their own gas. That annoyed me so much, I sat down and wrote this:
May 28, 2015
Voice of the
People
The Press of
Atlantic City
1000 W.
Washington Ave.
Pleasantville,
NJ 08232-7224
Dear Sir or
Madam:
Of all the specious,
convoluted arguments for a dumb idea, your “pump your own gas” editorial takes
the cake. The writer implies—no,
asserts—that “the people who elect them” want legislators to permit
self-service stations. He or she seems
to think the ban on pumping your own is outrageously unfair, akin to
disallowing due process, maybe. “Some
people already boast that’s what they do…”—gasp! I guess
it won’t be long before the pumper people band together, raid gas stations, and
banish those who get paid to pump. Then they
can exercise their human right to leave their cars in any weather, get their
hands smelly, and inhale those delectable fumes. And “the industry…figures the price would
drop.…” Oh, really? Then how is it, according to CNN.com and
other sites, that the average price for gas in the U.S. is $2.74, but in
Jersey, it’s $2.53? That’s the twelfth cheapest
in the fifty states. I don’t actually
believe the writer is in cahoots with “the industry,” but the thought crossed
my mind…
Sincerely,
Sent it off and we'll see if it's printed.
I have no idea why, when I copied the letter from Word, the print is turning out smaller, no only for the letter, but this, too. Oh, well, I guess the world will go on turning...
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Malfunction and WW II
Yoicks, what a morning!
I had a mammogram and bone density test scheduled, starting at 7:15 am yesterday, so wrote up a bit of this blog the evening before. I planned to leave the house at 6:30, which would get me there with time to spare.
Woke up, stretched, and looked at the clock to see--what? It was 6:15! Don't know if the alarm malfunctioned or what, but I scrambled up, washed my face, brushed my teeth while I rushed to turn the coffee on, dressed, gulped, and was out the door by twenty-five of.
Just made it to Atlantic Imaging in Galloway, even with going-to-work traffic, school buses, and so on.
I was out of there by 8:00, then met Betty for breakfast on Tilton Road. Had a good one, said goodbye--she's going to Chicago on Sunday, then California after that--and I took off for Boscov's to return what I had bought last week. Saw a nice purse--on sale--and bought that, too.
Nothing much but housework and a few errands the rest of the afternoon, until time for Dinner With the Crazies. Changed, picked up Aline and went to the Chinese restaurant next to the lake. It was a pretty congenial group and at first, I thought my right-hand neighbor was a great guy. "Billy" told me he's 92 and lives in Beach Haven West. We had a good talk until, apropos of nothing, he remarked that he had been in the navy during World War II, and for ten years after, and he was sorry all the gooks--meaning the Japanese--hadn't been killed. When I--rather mildly, for me--expressed disapproval and remarked that I have family in Tokyo, he became furiously angry and ranted loudly about the sins of that country 70 years ago. Hey, I don't care how old he is, he wasn't senile, and I told him that was f-ing bulls-t and thereafter turned my attention to the rest of the crazies.
Other than that, it was a fun evening.
I had a mammogram and bone density test scheduled, starting at 7:15 am yesterday, so wrote up a bit of this blog the evening before. I planned to leave the house at 6:30, which would get me there with time to spare.
Woke up, stretched, and looked at the clock to see--what? It was 6:15! Don't know if the alarm malfunctioned or what, but I scrambled up, washed my face, brushed my teeth while I rushed to turn the coffee on, dressed, gulped, and was out the door by twenty-five of.
Just made it to Atlantic Imaging in Galloway, even with going-to-work traffic, school buses, and so on.
I was out of there by 8:00, then met Betty for breakfast on Tilton Road. Had a good one, said goodbye--she's going to Chicago on Sunday, then California after that--and I took off for Boscov's to return what I had bought last week. Saw a nice purse--on sale--and bought that, too.
Nothing much but housework and a few errands the rest of the afternoon, until time for Dinner With the Crazies. Changed, picked up Aline and went to the Chinese restaurant next to the lake. It was a pretty congenial group and at first, I thought my right-hand neighbor was a great guy. "Billy" told me he's 92 and lives in Beach Haven West. We had a good talk until, apropos of nothing, he remarked that he had been in the navy during World War II, and for ten years after, and he was sorry all the gooks--meaning the Japanese--hadn't been killed. When I--rather mildly, for me--expressed disapproval and remarked that I have family in Tokyo, he became furiously angry and ranted loudly about the sins of that country 70 years ago. Hey, I don't care how old he is, he wasn't senile, and I told him that was f-ing bulls-t and thereafter turned my attention to the rest of the crazies.
Other than that, it was a fun evening.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Flyers and the Farm
Spent most of the morning posting flyers for the big flea market on Saturday. I put them up at the Little Egg and Stafford libraries, the post office, the break room at K-Mart (long, boring story, so I'll skip it), and on the doors of the community center, where the event will be held. We have 61 sellers, now let's HOPE we have ten times that many buyers. If it rains--oh, no, I can't even contemplate such a catastrophe!
Bought a new dish drainer and rack and a few other items. Home, had lunch and did various until it was time to leave for my friend's. Got up there just minutes before she did, transferred my pickin' equipment to her car, and we drove off.
Got yet more lettuce (I just finished last week's) in the barn, then set out to pick more strawberries and snow peas. My friend took the former, as the berries are way out in the north forty (or wherever) and I was the pea picker.
I'm afraid not a very effective one, either. Peas just hide under the bushes and it's terribly difficult to find them because they're the same color and virtually the same shape as the plant. Besides, the rows where you had to walk were very uneven--bumpy and with weeds and vines, all poised to trip me up.
We were entitled to only a pint, anyway, but I had picked only about ten pods (I'm serious) before my friend, came up, having already picked two quarts of berries. She took over and quickly and efficiently, filled the small container.
I reflected that I'm considerably less agile and more awkward than I was last summer at the farm. Makes me sad, resentful, and bewildered all at once. How could I find so difficult things I did with ease such a short time ago? Depressing.
Bought a new dish drainer and rack and a few other items. Home, had lunch and did various until it was time to leave for my friend's. Got up there just minutes before she did, transferred my pickin' equipment to her car, and we drove off.
Got yet more lettuce (I just finished last week's) in the barn, then set out to pick more strawberries and snow peas. My friend took the former, as the berries are way out in the north forty (or wherever) and I was the pea picker.
I'm afraid not a very effective one, either. Peas just hide under the bushes and it's terribly difficult to find them because they're the same color and virtually the same shape as the plant. Besides, the rows where you had to walk were very uneven--bumpy and with weeds and vines, all poised to trip me up.
We were entitled to only a pint, anyway, but I had picked only about ten pods (I'm serious) before my friend, came up, having already picked two quarts of berries. She took over and quickly and efficiently, filled the small container.
I reflected that I'm considerably less agile and more awkward than I was last summer at the farm. Makes me sad, resentful, and bewildered all at once. How could I find so difficult things I did with ease such a short time ago? Depressing.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Barnes & Nada Plus Lunch
A very pleasant day, notwithstanding a battle with Barnes & Noble regarding the gift card I got for Christmas. Tried to order a book on-line, put the card number in, had to add the pin number, and when I scratched off, the number came with it. Called and spoke to Mr. Idiot Person, who advised me they couldn't supply the number and I should go to the nearest B & N, which is--oh, only a hundred mile round trip. I asked to speak to "someone else" (his supervisor), was put on hold, then cut off. Dialed again and got a semi-idiot, who finally agreed to send me new info via e-mail I could use on-line. Factoring in the interminable "press this and that" recordings, the ordeal took almost an hour. Geesh!
But things improved after that: Picked Aline up at 12:30 and we went to Panini Bay for lunch. Food good, service indifferent. We then drove to the water right down Green Street and ran into Marge and Fred. At A.'s request, went to Wal-Mart, then to Gravelling Point--very windy, so lots of white caps and spray. Naughty girls that we are, we stopped at Jeffreeze for ice cream, but at least got "baby cups." Arrived home close to 5:00.
Ellen called in the evening from Burt's Books in Ojai and we had a good talk, which included a discussion about my house. She suggested I keep trying for a rental until the end of June and if no go by then, put it on the market. Will mull that over.
But things improved after that: Picked Aline up at 12:30 and we went to Panini Bay for lunch. Food good, service indifferent. We then drove to the water right down Green Street and ran into Marge and Fred. At A.'s request, went to Wal-Mart, then to Gravelling Point--very windy, so lots of white caps and spray. Naughty girls that we are, we stopped at Jeffreeze for ice cream, but at least got "baby cups." Arrived home close to 5:00.
Ellen called in the evening from Burt's Books in Ojai and we had a good talk, which included a discussion about my house. She suggested I keep trying for a rental until the end of June and if no go by then, put it on the market. Will mull that over.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Nothing Much and Pat Tillman
A whole lotta nothin' went on yesterday. Did several loads of wash and other housework. Contacted Fran Z. to see where she advertised the flea market coming up on Saturday. In the Atlantic City Press and The Packet, she said--aagh! Those rags have a total readership of about fourteen and where are the flyers that should be all around town?
Well, I didn't actually say that to her, but asked her to send me what she had posted. She did and it was nothing but print, soliciting vendors. B-o-r-ring, non-creative, and easy to ignore, so I made up a jazzier one, with catchy words and a colorful picture. Put it up at the clubhouse and will post it elsewhere on Tuesday.
In truth, I was a bit out of sorts yesterday. Guess I was more disappointed at the no-show lookers than I had thought. I lay down on the couch for a nap--always a sign that I'm feeling down--and had some unpleasant--well, what? Dreams or half-awake reveries? Not sure, but I got up and determined to shake myself out of this. Had a bite to eat, then got in the car and drove to Manahawkin. Took something back to Kohl's and bought toothpaste, a rib eye steak, and four Father's Day cards; by the time I got home, I was feeling chipper again.
Back from Manhattan, Aline called and we'll do something together today.
WIDER: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/after_pats_birthday_20150524
Well, I didn't actually say that to her, but asked her to send me what she had posted. She did and it was nothing but print, soliciting vendors. B-o-r-ring, non-creative, and easy to ignore, so I made up a jazzier one, with catchy words and a colorful picture. Put it up at the clubhouse and will post it elsewhere on Tuesday.
In truth, I was a bit out of sorts yesterday. Guess I was more disappointed at the no-show lookers than I had thought. I lay down on the couch for a nap--always a sign that I'm feeling down--and had some unpleasant--well, what? Dreams or half-awake reveries? Not sure, but I got up and determined to shake myself out of this. Had a bite to eat, then got in the car and drove to Manahawkin. Took something back to Kohl's and bought toothpaste, a rib eye steak, and four Father's Day cards; by the time I got home, I was feeling chipper again.
Back from Manhattan, Aline called and we'll do something together today.
WIDER: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/after_pats_birthday_20150524
Sunday, May 24, 2015
No Show and War Crimes
Well, the excitement proved to be a flash in the pan. Went to the pool opening party with Susan and Walter at 10:00. We sat with Bessie and Bob F. and had a discussion--a bit tedious and, of course, dominated by the men and me--about computers, computing, and nature versus nurture. The food was good and the mimosas better, but I was itching to get home and vacuum, which proves worldly wonders will never cease.
Did so, but vacated about 12:45. Ran errands in Manahawkin, then drove around in a desultory way. Called Aline, but I think she's still in Manhattan. I finally came home about 4:00 and didn't see any evidence the lookers had come; I was sure the agent would have left a card or something.
So-o-o, just as I suspected, they had changed their minds. Walter called about 6:00 to say the other realtor said she sent him an e-mail to that effect, but it didn't go through. Seems the possible people decided not to move to Ocean, after all.
It was disappointing, but I guess the world will go on turning and I remain optimistic.
WIDER: "...not one person has been held accountable for the war crimes committed based on lies about WMDs, terrorism camps and the doctrine of "pre-emptive war."
It's this kind of thing that makes me shake with rage. The unholy monsters and morons who populate the political class duck and weave, and twist and turn, and serve up their falsehoods and weasel words to adoring adherents who swallow it again and again. Hey, golly gee oh gosh, guess we made a boo-boo when we slaughtered innocents left and right, but we gotta move on, so vote for me anyways and durn tootin' the next time we'll--well, do it all over agin."
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/05/21/lies-damned-lies-and-invasion-iraq
Did so, but vacated about 12:45. Ran errands in Manahawkin, then drove around in a desultory way. Called Aline, but I think she's still in Manhattan. I finally came home about 4:00 and didn't see any evidence the lookers had come; I was sure the agent would have left a card or something.
So-o-o, just as I suspected, they had changed their minds. Walter called about 6:00 to say the other realtor said she sent him an e-mail to that effect, but it didn't go through. Seems the possible people decided not to move to Ocean, after all.
It was disappointing, but I guess the world will go on turning and I remain optimistic.
WIDER: "...not one person has been held accountable for the war crimes committed based on lies about WMDs, terrorism camps and the doctrine of "pre-emptive war."
It's this kind of thing that makes me shake with rage. The unholy monsters and morons who populate the political class duck and weave, and twist and turn, and serve up their falsehoods and weasel words to adoring adherents who swallow it again and again. Hey, golly gee oh gosh, guess we made a boo-boo when we slaughtered innocents left and right, but we gotta move on, so vote for me anyways and durn tootin' the next time we'll--well, do it all over agin."
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/05/21/lies-damned-lies-and-invasion-iraq
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